Manicure instrument



July 25, 1950 E. L. BLAcKMAN 2,516,542

'MANICURE INSTRUMENT Filedruov. ze, 1948 Patented July 25, 1950 UNITEDSTATEJS PAT ENT OFFICE VMANICURE Edward L. Blackman, Greenwich, VConn.

ApplicationNovember 26, 1946;`` SeralifNo. 22370 o1.-.182 'z4g.-5v

'9 Glaims. 1 This invention relates primarily to manicuring andv nailVcleaning instruments and .the like,zbut may be employed for the uses towhich it-is adaptable.

vI-Ieretofore-many attempts have ;been made .to

provide a manicuring instrument which .coui'd efiicient instrument.

One object -ofthisinventionis .toaprovideiia portable instrument whichwill-enable .thefnails to be cleaned efiiciently by .providing ameasured,

vlimited and accurately.controlledsourceof cleaning fiuid.

.i Another .object of .the invention .is toprovide a leakproof containerfor aliquid cleanerin .combination with. ani. efficientl-means forvCleaning thel nails.

Another object .of the invention is tozprovideza manicuring instrument.containing cleaning fluid which may .be easily Aand safely.carried..in',the

`pocket, and used. at any'timeas desired. .Other .objects and advantageswill lbeapparent.

The invention is illustratedin the accompanyingdrawing, in whichthe-figura' isa longitudinal,

`.medial section of an illustrative embodiment ithereof.

Referringltoj the .said drawing, I istheireservoir -portion and.handleof the fingernailcleaner .having a fillercap 2 enclosing .onefend. The

other end of. the reservoir is-partially .closed .by

.theannular ring. 3.and is fully closed by the` end :piece 4 andfrictionally heldin .placenby being forced .over .the 'stepped annuiarzshoulder V'5 which is a part of the lower-endof the reservoir I.

The end 'piecelhas running through itscenter .and slidable thereinzia.hollowV tube `6 .which has a bluntclosed end at 1, and is pierced. byminute -orifices 8 at its ;lower extremity; vTube 6:'has

attached near to the lower end small bristles 9 which surround theminute orifices 8. At. its.`4

upper end it is` of .sufiicient Vdiametertofmake a snug fit in.theorifice formedby thexcenterxof .theannular'ring 3. `Itialsohas anannular-fiange l(l which. is .of such diameterso vthat itsnugly fits thesides 'of .the endv pieceat-theupper straight sectioniof thelatter.Thusxthe endpiece 4'. and theflange I'fl-.Jbecome acylinderandazpistonrespectively.. .'Between the .annularfringf i -andL-the fiange 10'.isfiaacoiled compression spring 120 separated:.apredeterminedfdistance,.to Vform "ithe-;chamber |:2,5 while the fiange- L0 is y.preventedfrombei'ng forced. into-the `tapered .portion Iof -:e'ndpi'ece`llfl'byrthefiange-ston 4a.

The: tuibe'r 6:, is ;provided zwithzsmal'l xorifices. 1:3 flat' .thebottom ;of the chamber formed V.between the ring ".3 "Sand .thepiston-fiange HI. .Tube T`(i is also provided with an indentedlportion|4 -which==:w-lfienzthezspring'V l|.. 'hol-dsf the? ring, and flange to:apart,.=ferms a 'channels- ILE? for the Apassage of liquidifromthereservoir Vtotthe cham- -ber 1:2.. 'liuheffig'inatheformshown has.atapered i'shape-wafter having. 4a unifzorm ydiameter. equal'to..'the.depthof= thechamben l2'., A` non-tapering 'diametenispreferred.hereybecause by thezuse tof'uniformtdiameter theffftube-f-`held in align- Ament 'bythe tip .of the :endpiece 4. when. the fflazngeJill; is'rapproaching the .annu'lar shoulder iand; thesa-idiflange;

:In operation. u thefinaiLcleaner :is fil'led 'withv :a xfsoapyliquidorother type ofcleaner by removin'g ':=the:. cap; hand.. fillingzthe' .reservoirl I. Whensa user swisheszto. .clean-.thel nails theblunt' end 1 .zspring I l :'As the; piston slides' toward. the; annu-:lan ring thelnotch`` 1-4 `.entersz the reservoir -;chamber-and=,xbecause ofthefsnugifitof the top ;pantof thel tube vzwith the.centralzorificeof the annulan ring; ',.the'; channe1=.- |5`= closed. andthe .liquid chamber: l;2,. .which is4 now deereasing in size, is forcedthrough thezorifices |.3,..down `the .tube- GL: andoutzthroug'h the.minute orifices .8,1-whic`h are .preferably .ofv capilla'ryzsize. into.the Lbrist1es;`9.... ..A.zsuitab1e; caplnot.V shown) may be.';appl'ied'toy the-...isapering'portion' of to lcover and vprotectthe=:brush;and;.the.endaofithe instrument.

' lW-hen: pressure is; i released on i the pointi'lTv:tlfiieaspririg;lI. returnszthe fia'ngev lzllfxto-its.l rest position.;against the vflangeazstop; 4a,..thus: openingth'efi channel;V liuand;.a1'1owingl a `new supply `of :liquidmofenter-the'vchamber l2' .by.gravity fiow '..=assiste by'the'suction occa'sioned 'by Vthepartial'vacuumcreate irr the z chamber |:-2,' due .to the :deereasevintvolnmefi of the: liquid' forced out of i. this.:.chamben .by the'action of the: piston .flange lwhen:`` liquid isejected through the'orific'es If3;`

instrument, may nowfbe rotatedby the -fihgersx under theV :'users' :naill.thuseffectively cleansing "-lthe. .naihby f' means -of the brush and'.-the"=rc1eansing `fluidv which hasf lbeen: extruded 'i'therecnt Hwhichiservesto keeprthe;rin-g/3Lfand1theffiange1| :Thea'brush maybe'dried by` rotating-inf.a;..piece of cloth or absorbent paper and willremain dry until further liquid is supplied to it, because the size ofthe orifices 8 is such that the cleansing liquid, which should be quitethin, will not pass therethrough except under pressure. In this drycondition it may be used for brushing and cleaning the nails without theaid of a detergent liquid. The liquid may be a thin soapy solution or avolatile fiuid of the dry-cleaning order, and if the former the nailsjmay be dried bythe use of absorbent paper or'cloth.

It will be understood that the frictional coaction between the tube 6and its integral parts and i' the parts through which it passesissufficient to DTBVBII Slpping When the instrument, is rotated to causerotation of the brush, i

l. ture and .movable therethrough, said member having a recess thereinat the part which extends -through thev said diaphragm opening and anVarious changes in the details lof construction of the instrument shownand described and additions thereto may beHmade without departing fromthe scope of theinvention. Thus the terminal '1 may be sharpened and/orextended if desired and used as' a very effective, cleanerto-'dislodge dirt or other foreignmatter; and'the improvements may beadapted forluse with adentifrice for Cleaning the teeth instead of as amanii cure instrument. The .brush may be used dry or with moisture fromthe outside in either case.

What I claim is: 1. In a device of the Character described, a'hollowfluid containing handle, means ifor admitting.

a supply of fluid thereto, a diaphragm fixed therein substantiallyfilling the borei thereof and hav- 'ing an aperture therein, a tubularmember partly within the handle extending through saidiaperture andmovable therethrough, said member having a recess therein at the partwhichy extends through the said. diaphragm opening and an opening spacedfrom the diaphragm and recess for the admission of fiuid to the interiorof said member, said member'havinga small outlet openings at an endwhich extends beyond the handle, said tube having radially extendingbristles fixed Vthereto and said openings being insufiicent -in size topermit the fiuid to escape therethrough except under pressure,` a flangeon said tubular i member spaced from said diaphragm andfilling the boreof the handle which is not filled by-the said member and movabletowardand from' said 'diaphragm with said member forming aplunger -.toexert pressure on the. fiuid between it-andsaid "diaphragm after therecess has passed through the aperture, said tube having frictionalengagement With said `hollow handle preventing its free rotationtherein.`

- 2. In a device of the character ,described,' a hollow fiuid containinghandle, means for admitting a supply. of fiuid thereto, adiaphragmnfixed therein substantially filling the bore thereof andhaving a central :aperture therein, a tubular member partly within thehandle. extending i through said aperture and movable longitudinallytherethrough, said member having a-recess therein at the part whichextends through the said diaphragm opening and an opening spaced fromthe diaphragm and recess forthe admission of .fiuid to the interior ofsaid member, said member ,having lateral small capillary outlet openingsat an end which extends beyond the handle, said tube having radiallyextending bristles fixed thereto and said openings being insufiicientinsize tof:

permit the fiuid to escapetherethrough by gravity, or such slighthydrostatic 'pressureas' maybe present, a flange Von said tubular memberspaced from said diaphragm and filling the boreofthe handle which is'-not filled by the said ,memberz'j opening spaced from the diaphragmand recess for the admission of fluid to the interior of said member,said member having small outlet openings at an end which extends beyondthe handle zwhich end is otherwise closed, said tube having .radiallyextending bristles fixed thereto and surrounding said openings and saidopenings being insufiicient in size to permit the fiuid to escape:therethrou'gh by gravity, a fiange on said tubular member spaced fromsaid diaphragm and filling j the bore of the handle which isnot filledby the said member and movable toward and from said diaphragm with saidmember forming a plunger to exert pressure on the fluid between it andsaid `diaphragm after the recess has passed through the aperture andsuction when moved in the oplposite direction, said tube havingfrictional engagement with said hollow handle preventing its 'freerotation therein.

4. In a device of the Character described, a hollow fluid containinghandle, means for admitting a supply of fiuid thereto, a diaphragm fixedthere- .in substantially filling the bore thereof and having an aperturetherein, a tubular member partly within the handle extending throughsaid aperture and movable therethrough, said member having a recesstherein at the part which extends through the said diaphragm opening andan opening spaced from the diaphragm and recess for the 'admission offiuid to the'interior of said member, saidmember having small outletopening's at an end which'extends beyond the handle, `said tube having abrush aifixed thereto and said openings being insufficient in size topermit the fluid to escape 'therethrough by gravity, a fiange :on saidtubular member spaced from said'dia- '*phragm and filling-the bore ofthe handle which is not filled by the said member and movable toward andfrom said diaphragm with said memfberforming a plunger to exert pressureon the fluid'between it and said diaphragm after the recess has passedthrough the aperture and means for retracting said fiange to and holdingit in its normal position automatically and drawing a measured amount offiuid into the space between it, and said Vdiaphragm through adjacentopenfree rotation and other movement therein.

' 5. In a device'of the characterdeScribed, a

` hollow fiuid containing handle, means for admitting a supply offluidthereto, a diaphragm fixed thereinsubstantially filling the borethereof and having` an aperture therein,` a tubular member partly withinthe handle extending through said aperture and movable therethrough,saidmember ;having a 'recess 4therein at Ithe part which vex- ;tendsthrough the said diaphragmopening and zanfopeningspaced from-thediaphragm and recess for the admission of fluid to the interior of saidmember, said member having small outlet 4openings at an end whichextends beyond the handle, said tube having radially extending bristlesfiXed thereto and said openings being insufficient in size to permit thefluid to escape therethrough by gravity, a fiange on said tubular memberspaced from said diaphragm and filling the bore of the handle which isnot filled by the said member and movable toward and from said diaphragmwith said member forming a plunger to exert pressure on the fluidbetween it and said diaphragm and expel it through said opening spacedfrom the diaphragm after the recess has passed through the aperture,said outlet openings adapted and arranged to discharge fluid radiallybetween the bristles of the brush.

6. In a device of the Character described, a hollow fluid containinghandle, means for admitting a supply of fluid thereto, a diaphragm fixedt therein substantially filling the bore thereof and having an aperturetherein, a tubular member partly within the handle extending throughsaid aperture and movable therethrough, said member having a recesstherein at the part which extends through the said diaphragm opening andan opening spaced from the diaphragm and recess for the admission offluid to the interior of said member, said member having small outletopenings in communication with the last named openings at an end whichextends beyond the handle, said tube having radially extending bristlesfixed thereto and said openings being insufficient in size to permit thefluid to escape therethrough by gravity, a fiange on said tubular memberv spaced from said diaphragm and filling the bore of the handle which isnot filled by the said member and movable toward and from said-diaphragm with said member forming a plunger to exert pressure on thefluid between it and said diaphragm after the recess has passed throughthe aperture, said tube having frictional engagement with said hollowhandle preventing its free rotation therein, said brush formed by thebristles being annular in form and rotatable with the handle and withsaid tube.

7. In a device of the character described, a hollow fluid containinghandle, means for admitting a supply of fluid thereto, a diaphragm fixedtherein s-ubstantially fiiling the bore thereof and having an aperturetherein, .a tubular member partly within the handle extending throughsaid 'aperture and movable therethrough, said member having a recesstherein at the part which extends through the said diaphragm opening andan opening spaced from the diaphragm and recessfor the admission offluid to the interior of said member, said member having small outletopenings at an end which extends beyond the handle, said tube havingradially extending bristles fixed thereto and said openings beinginsufficient in size to permit the fluid to escape therethrough bygravity, a f'lange on said tubular member spaced from said diaphragm andfilling the bore of the handle 'which is not filled by the said memberand movable toward and from said diaphragm with said member forming aplunger to exert pressure on the fluid between it and said diaphragmafter therecess has passed through the aperture, said tube havingfrictional engagement with said hollow handle preventing its freerotation therein, said tube having closed extremities.

8. In a device of the character described, a

6 hollow fluid containing handle, means for admitting a supply of fluidthereto, a diaphragm fixed therein substantially filling the borethereof and having an aperture therein, a tubular member partly withinthe handle extending through said aperture and movable therethrough,said member having a recess therein at the part which extends throughthe said diaphragm opening and an opening spaced from the diaphragm andrecess for the admission of fluid to the interior of said member, saidmember having small outlet openings at an end which extends beyond thehandle, said tube having radially extending bristles fixed thereto andsaid openings being insufficient in size to permit the fluid to escapetherethrough by gravity, a flange on said tubular member spaced'fromsaid diaphragm :and filling the bore of the handle which is not filledby the said member and movable toward and from said diaphragm with saidmember forming a plunger to exert pressure on the fi-uid between it andsaid diaphragm after the recess has passed through the aperture, saidtube having frictional engagement with said hollow handle preventing itsfree rotation therein, said tube having a, closed pointed extremitybeyond the bristles.

9. In a device of the character desoribed, a hollow fluid containinghandle, means for admitting a supply of fluid thereto, a diaphragm fixedtherein substantially filling the bore thereof and having an aperturetherein, a tubular member partly within the handle extending'throughsaid aperture and movable therethrough said member having a recesstherein at the part which extends through the said diaphragm opening andan opening spaced from the diaphragm and recess for the admission offluid to the interior of said member, said member having small outletopenings at an end which extends beyond the handle, said tube havingradially extending bristles fixed thereto and said openings beinginsufficient in size to permit the fluid to escape therethrough bygravity, a fiange in said tubular member spaced from said diaphragm,adjacent the opening which is spaced from the diaphragm and filling thebore of the handle which is not filled by the said member and movabletoward and from said diaphragm with said member forming a plunger toexert pressure on the fluid between it and said diaphragm after therecess has passed through the aperture and means for retracting saidfiange to and holding it in its normal position automatically andzdrawing a measured amount of fluid into the space between it :and saiddiaphragm, said tube and fiange having frictional engagement with saidhollow handle preventing its'free rotationand other movement therein andsaid brush being normally dry and usable in that condition.

EDWARD L. BLACKMAN.

REFERENCES CITED I The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,186,697 Smith June 13, 19161,580,070 Muller Apr. 6, 1926 `2,164,432 Selwyn July 4, 1939 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 209,772 Switzerland of July 16, 1940

